Browse published material including veterinary books, periodicals and pamphlets.

Explore in here for early veterinary writing by the forefathers of the profession; descriptions of historic methods and cases; and anonymous backbiting between the professors of competing veterinary schools.

RCVS Vet History is a five year project, in which the historically rich, but previously untapped, collections of the RCVS will be preserved and made more accessible to the public. The project will culminate in two major public outputs...

These volumes contain the official war diary of Frederick Smith, Veterinary Lieutenant Colonel, Army Veterinary Department. This diary was written in triplicate using carbon paper. A copy was sent to the War Office, and another to the Principal Veterinary Officer of South Africa.

Diary entries include: This volume of the diary commences on the 11 Jun 1900, when Smith is stationed at Pretoria. It is addressed to an unnamed Colonel. It begins by relating past events including Smith’s arrival at Pretoria from Bloemfontein on the 17 May and meeting Colonel Grierson, Chief of Staff. From the 11 Jun, it is assumed the diary is written day by day. There is a gap in the diary from the 5 to 25 July, and from the 26 July it seems that Smith is based at Kroonstad…

Diary entries include: The diary starts on p10 of the volume commencing on 22 Sept 1900, when Smith is stationed at Kroonstad. Smith leaves Kroonstad for Bloemfontein on 18 Dec, where he stays for one week, leaving for Cape Town on 25 Dec where he arrives on 27 Dec. There are diary entries for most days. This volume chiefly relates Smith’s daily work managing the care of horses used by the Armed Services, via the set up of Field Veterinary Hospitals…

Diary entries include: This volume starts with a continuation of the entry for 14 Jan 1901 from the preceding volume when Smith is stationed in Cape Town. There are diary entries for most days.The volume chiefly relates to Smiths daily work overseeing the allocation of staff and resources to the various veterinary hospitals and remount depots in the vicinity of Cape Town. Locations mentioned include: …

At the time of writing this diary, Smith is stationed in Cape Town except for a three month period (March-May) when he seems to have been based in the Kimberley area. The volume ends on 10 July 1901. There are diary entries for most days except for the period from 24 April – 22 May when Smith has injured his right arm (as he explains on 22 May). The volume chiefly relates to Smith’s daily work overseeing the allocation of staff and resources to the various veterinary hospitals and remount depots in the vicinity of Cape Town. Locations mentioned include: …

RCVS VET HISTORY is an RCVS Knowledge initiative, for the preservation and promotion of the historical collections of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, made possible with the support of The Alborada Trust.

The Alborada Trust is a charitable trust founded in 2001. Its aims are the funding of medical and veterinary causes, research and education – and the relief of poverty and human and animal suffering, sickness and ill-health. Charity Registration No 1091660

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Trust (trading as RCVS Knowledge) is a registered Charity No. 230886. Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 598443.